A TOP secret new unmanned combat aircraft built by arms group BAE Systems surpassed all expectations during its first flight trials, the Ministry of Defence and BAE have revealed.

The maiden flight of a prototype of the £185million Taranis aircraft, the most advanced aircraft built by British engineers, took place last August. It was formally unveiled in 2010.

The demonstrator aircraft made a perfect take-off, rotation, “climb-out” and landing on its 15-minute first flight, said the MoD.

About 250 UK defence companies, including Rolls-Royce and Qinetiq, worked on the aircraft.

It is designed to demonstrate the UK’s ability to create an unmanned air system which, under human control, can carry out sustained surveillance and perform target-marking, intelligence-gathering, deterrence and strikes in hostile territory.

BAE said the technological advances made by Taranis will also help the MoD and RAF decide the future mix of manned and unmanned fast jet aircraft.